Harry Brook slammed for blaming Kolkata smog for England's defeat against Varun Chakaravarthy

England vice-captain Harry Brook sparked controversy with his recent comments about the Kolkata smog being a contributing factor to the team's struggles against spinners during the first T20I against India at the Eden Gardens. Brook suggested that the hazy weather in Kolkata made it challenging for the English batters to read the spinners, particularly Varun Chakaravarthy. His remarks received backlash from critics and fans alike.

Chakravarthy picked up the wickets of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Brook during his game-changing spell of 3 for 33 in India's emphatic seven-wicket victory over England in the first of the five-match T20I series.

"Chakaravarthy is an exceptionally good bowler," Brook told the Daily Telegraph.

"But with the smog the other night, it was a lot harder to pick. Hopefully the air is a bit clearer here and we can see the ball a bit easier."

"Facing spin in T20 cricket is probably the hardest thing in the game, especially because I always get out trying to absolutely smack it," he said.

Brook's comments did not go down too well with the Indian fans, who trolled the England batter. Some poked him with a reminder that he was picked by Delhi Capitals in this season's IPL, a city, statistically known as one of the most polluted ones in the country.

A few fans found no logic in Brook's comments, as in the same conditions, India's Abhishek Sharma smashed 74 off 39 balls, while others, like Sanju Samson, also showed no signs of having problems sighting the ball.

Brook said that he is devising his own method to counter spin.

"Maybe I've got to rein in a little bit, but we'll see. I think I do have a method. It's just trying to do it consistently and more often. I come in the middle order, so the first few balls I face are usually off spin."

Brook had an IPL century couple of seasons back when he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Chakravarthy's Kolkata Knight Riders.

Having been completely bamboozled by the wrist spinner, Brook wouldn't mind revisiting his hour of glory against a known opposition.

"I was going to watch it on the way in (to Friday's practice session) but my phone wouldn't work, so I'll have a look a little bit later," he added.

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